ANGER OVER TIPPERARY DRINKING WATER: ‘It is not like water, it is more like soup’

The issue of drinking water and its deterioration in the area was raised at the March meeting of the Tipperary/Cahir/Cashel Municipal District with councillors disgusted at the response of Uisce Eireann to queries raised recently.

Speaking about correspondence, in relation to the Galtee Regional Scheme water issues, councillors felt there are major issues that Uiscre Eireann were not addressed satisfactorily. Councillor Michael Fitzgerald felt that the response was insulting and inadequate: “I’m so disappointed with the reply to that that I wouldn’t dream of sending it out to the people that are affected because I think its an insult to say that the hard water doesn’t cause a public health risk and that it meets the regulations.

“If you saw some of the photographs I have on my phone from people - it is not like water, it is more like soup to tell the truth. To give us a reply like that is an insult to the people that are affected by this. There is no mention of a solution. The Galtee scheme was always a perfect water supply scheme.

“When we discovered these bore holes they were to supplement the scheme when the reservoir ran low. There is no excuse in the world why these reservoirs are low at this particular time. No excuse. Extra capacity is needed. It’s an insult to say it does not pose a public health risk. People are buying water. I have a 101-year-old woman who is afraid for her life of it and you wouldn’t blame her and a lot of others are just at their wits’ end.”

Also adding to the anger was some of the wording in response from Uisce Eireann. He said it was difficult to understand: “Some of the wording here I can’t make head nor tail of it,” he said.

In a statement, Uisce Éireann said: “The Galtee Regional Scheme is served from a number of water treatment plants including Rossadrehid (Surface Water Source), Springmount, Faranamanagh and Thomastown (All Ground Water Sources). All of the ground water source plants are hard water.

“Springmount and Faranmanagh mix with water from Rossadrehid in Cashel. Depending on demands at any given time, more water is required from Springmount and Faranmanagh resulting in a harder water supply in this area. Thomastown Plant was upgraded last year to meet increased demands and has been operational since last summer in the Thomastown area. All plants and sources are required to meet demand, therefore it is not possible to turn off the ground water sources or reduce their production at present.

“Occasionally, localised network issues may cause a temporary discolouration of the water supply. In the event of discolouration, running the tap for several minutes will usually restore water to a clear colour. Uisce Éireann advises customers not to drink discoloured water.”